In 1984, the British fashion designer Katharine Hamnett met then–Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at an event in honor of London Fashion Week. Hamnett wore her coat through security screenings, keeping it wrapped around her until the moment she shook Thatcher’s hand. As the cameras flashed, Hamnett revealed a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “58% DON’T WANT PERSHING.” Thatcher, apparently, squawked like a chicken. Hamnett was protesting the escalating threat of nuclear armament: “Pershing” was the name of the nuclear missiles stationed throughout Europe without public consultation. It remains one of the most successful protest T-shirt stunts ever pulled. Although they had been around since the ’60s, something about the charged atmosphere of the ’80s encouraged wider protest in fabric form. Hamnett was at the head of the charge in the UK, while Keith Haring’s 1989 Act Up T-shirt, reading “Ignorance=Fear / Silence=Death, This story is from Kinfolk Issue Fifty-One Buy Now Related Stories Fashion Issue 51 The Getaway A lazy weekend at the Farnsworth House. Fashion Issue 51 Power Tool Malthe Risager Jørgensen, founder of Artikel København, on the tool he couldn’t work without. Fashion Issue 50 Communion Fellow-feeling through fashion. Fashion Issue 50 Capsule Wardrobes “At its most noble, it should make every purchase a special occasion.” Fashion Issue 50 What Are You Working On? David Koma’s current workload. Fashion Issue 50 Received Wisdom Marimekko’s creative director, Rebekka Bay, on leadership and finding the right work-life balance.
Fashion Issue 51 Power Tool Malthe Risager Jørgensen, founder of Artikel København, on the tool he couldn’t work without.
Fashion Issue 50 Capsule Wardrobes “At its most noble, it should make every purchase a special occasion.”
Fashion Issue 50 Received Wisdom Marimekko’s creative director, Rebekka Bay, on leadership and finding the right work-life balance.